relapse records

CANTO: Desertfest 2019, Inter Arma, Exumer, and More

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Amenra

It’s snowing. I’m drinking.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

Josh Thieler’s Favorite Records of 2018

hardcorejoe5 Comments

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2018 has been quite the year. It was a roller coaster personally, nationally, globally, and in the realm of metal. There are people that I loved that are gone now. There are people who are gone that I should have loved more. I failed a lot of people. I’ve struggled in so many ways. If you are curious about that, just listen to the last Slaves BC record or read any interviews I did during that release cycle. I got fatter, fitter, quit smoking, joined five or six more bands, did artwork for some bands, did PR for some others, and spent a lot (but never enough) of time with my wonderful wife and animals.

Anyway, I listened to a ton of music again in 2018. I didn’t get a chance to talk about any of it very much, but I listened to a ton. 2018 was another fantastic year for metal/hardcore/whatever. I’ve been altering this list for months and I had a real hard time narrowing it down as much as I did. Just like last year, I have compiled my favorite 50 full length metal/hardcore records, favorite 10 non-metal records, and my top 10 favorite EP’s/singles/etc.

I made this playlist with one track from each of the records that are on Spotify for you to listen to a sampling of everything below. Thank you for checking this out and here’s to a better 2019!

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Receiving the Evcharist: Outer Heaven and For Whom

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Receiving the Evcharist 2018

Receiving the Evcharist is our weekly feature where we pair choice albums with our favorite libations.  Drink from the cup of heresy. This week’s offering: Outer Heaven’s Realms of Eternal Decay and Campanology Brewing Company’s For Whom.   Continue reading →

Initial Descent: September 2 – 8, 2018

Josh4 Comments
krisiun band photo
Krisiun

We’re hitting you with this one on Labor Day so hopefully all of today’s visitors have the day off and the time to actually go through this list of new releases. That also means NO MONDAY BLUES. Until tomorrow. Ugh. Nevermind that for now, keep reading.

Starting us off is everyone’s favorite Brazilians Krisiun with their eleventh full length, Scourge of the Enthroned, and honestly if it weren’t for the rest of this list, I could make a home inside their robust ass kicking death metal. But, there’s MA’s Morne up next with To the Night Unknown and I’m not sure if you’ve been following this band or not but you’ll want to now —- this band is doing truly amazing and unique things with doom and post-metal. And then there’s Pig Destroyer who cut the strings on a six year silence with the abrasive yet instantly catchy Head Cage, one thing I’ve learned over the past several years is these guys can do no wrong and whether you’re into grindcore or not GET THIS ALBUM. And on top of all that is And All Will Be Desolation from Allfather which I have tagged below as beard metal – it’s in their catch phrase, look it up – but in reality this thing is a smorgasbord of sludge, death metal and beat down hardcore that is the best work this UK band has done to date, check out “Citadels” for proof – good god man.

I told you today was good. And you haven’t sent the rest yet, much more of this to come below. If you’re off, enjoy and happy Labor Day. If you’re working…well, that sucks and happy Labor Day anyway. See you here throughout the week. Continue reading →

Initial Descent: August 12 – 18, 2018

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Trappist
Trappist – photo courtesy of Paul Lee

We are in the throes of a new week, like it or not. No need to get all bent out of the frame though, Monday means it’s time for new metal and for another week of showcasing some of it. Plus we’re on the downhill slide of the year and if the first half was any indication, the second half should be a knockout finish. Speaking of, we begin the week with a four pack of treats. Carry on…

We like beer and so does Trappist, who in the span of 21 tracks in 33 minutes, rip with crusty d-beat violence on their debut Ancient Brewing Tactics all in the name of almighty beer. It’s a supercharged juggernaut slam full of all star guests so make sure to check this one out – they’ve also included some pairings, nice guys. Just in time to extinguish the light from everything are two beasts of blackened doom and noise; Primitive Man and Unearthly Trance offer up a Split release that will leave indelible marks on any and all souls who dare to listen (over the top? nah). Black Tusk return with an all-guns-blazing attack of swampheavypunkmetal on T.C.B.T. and Cemetery Urn continue their reign of savage death metal on Barbaric Retribution.

As usual, we are far from done with what this week has to offer so head directly below to get your fill. Continue reading →